The connection between Ellie and Harry was instant. They drew me into their adventures, which were non stop. It was exhilarating and steamy. The ending was slightly comical, with Daisy and Tess, and romantic. This author never disappoints.

Kate Bateman continues her streak with HOW TO FALL FOR A SCOUNDREL. Building on her strengths as displayed in the first of the series, this book features Bateman's well written women, banter, and a romance that made me stay up at night reading.

Eleanor Law is a founding member of King & Co., a successful private investigation firm in London. The Ton would not be pleased to find out that the company is run by women - in order to keep their secret, the friends have made up a fictional boss aka Charles King.

Ellie is kissed by a mysterious, yet charming stranger at ball. He refuses to give her his real name, only to introduce himself to one of their clients later in the evening as Charles King. Ellie reluctantly accepts his help with the case and the two set off to find a jewel encrusted book that has gone missing.

Henri Bonheur, or Harry as he has asked to be called, claims that his criminal past is behind him, but Ellie has her doubts. As the investigation draws them deeper into danger and potential scandal, Ellie is irritated to discover she has developed feelings for her partner-in-crime. How can you love someone when you don’t truly know who they are? What will happen when Harry’s past catches up to him?

Read if you like:
* regency romance
* smart women
* charming men
* forced proximity

The second installment in the Her Majesty’s Rebels is an absolute delight. Ellie was one of favorite characters in the first novel - she is studious, smart, and despite being a wallflower, has a wonderfully wicked side. Harry is so charming and watching him fall for Ellie is incredibly sweet. Their chemistry and banter is off the charts and the two couldn’t be more perfect for each other.

I adore the friendship that the women have and can’t wait for Daisy’s story!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a free digital copy of this book. This is my honest review. Publication date: August 20, 2024.

I was given the opportunity to review an advanced copy of this book. I enjoyed the first book in this series. Three strong women characters form an investigative firm with a fake male, Charles King at the helm. Ellie Law meets a "charming, anonymous scoundrel" at Lady Chessington's annual Christmas ball. He kisses her and she feels a jolt of faint lightening at the contact. He gives her a fake name, later introduces himself to one of their clients as Charles King and becomes involved in helping solve one of their cases.

This is a fast paced story with twists and turns. I thoroughly enjoy reading Kate Bateman's novels and this one did not disappoint. If you enjoy historical romances, mysteries, and strong women, you can read this book 2 stand-alone novel in Her Majesty's Rebels series.

What a fun story! Harry was great. I loved his attitude and charm and how he pulled Ellie out of her shell.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

So I expected to enjoy this story, but I didn't expect to love it nearly as much as I did. I want to keep it in my pocket to keep re-reading it.

So a bit of backstory, I love this detective show from the 1980s - Remington Steele. It's main premise is Laura Holt starts a PI agency and no one wants to hire a woman so she invents a male superior - then in the pilot this mysterious conman (played by a young Pierce Brosnan) steps into the shoes and becomes Remington Steele. I love this show and I have been looking for books with this concept and most importantly the fun if campy tone with a smattering of romance. I have been looking for YEARS, and nothing. Then I started this book, didn't even read the blurb (its Kate Bateman, can't go wrong, and I liked the first one so why bother with a summary). AND HERE IT IS. The perfect homage to Remington Steele. We have a lovable already smitten MMC who helps out the FMC AND her friends. He is a conman and thief, but so endearing. She is smart and confident and blooms under his attention. There is a great supporting cast, fun banter, layers of intrigue and hijinks, and the most important: a delightfully playful tone. This book is everything I wanted and couldn't find (which could have spelled disaster, but instead made a spot on my favorites shelf forever). My only complaint is that I wanted this to be its own series and not find out his dark past for another 20 or so books. But seriously, a great book and I can't wait for the third one.

How delicious! Wallflower meets scoundrel! He won't even give his real name. And she and her friends are woman private investigators. How cool is that! I do enjoy the writings by this author. The story is entertaining, made me smile in places and oh baby the romance is hot, hot, hot. Loved it!

Oh this book is lovely! The chemistry between Harry and Elllie is the cutest and I didn’t want their story to end. I also really liked the secondary characters. The story itself was really good. I thought the plot moved at a good clip and the investigation was fun. The steamy scenes are a 2/5 in the spice.

This is the first book that I’ve read by Kate Bateman, but it won’t be my last! I can’t wait until this gets published so I can own a physical copy of it! I would 100% recommend this book!

4.75 stars. This book (and series) is insanely delightful! We have Ellie, who is smart, extremely capable and resourceful, and Henry, a scoundrel, who is actually a scoundrel! He pickpockets, does sleight of hand, is not above stealing (but only for those rich enough to replace it without any worries), and carries a sword cane with a lion on it. Henry also just oozes charisma and charm. There are a few scenes with both MCs working together that are so much fun — recovering a stolen book by pretending to be paramours sneaking away for a tryst, recovering a stolen jewel via blackjack, recovering important documents hidden away in the Tower of London. I had the best time reading this.

Ellie is one of the founding members of King & Co, a private investigation firm. The Ton would not be happy to learn the business is comprised of females. To keep their respect, they make up a fictional boss know as "Charles King." When a con artist pretends to be the real Charles King, Ellie has no choice but to accept his help to solve the investigation. Henri has an extensive criminal resume but he needs Ellie's help to uncover his past so that he can lead a straight and narrow life in the future.

Kate Bateman is back with her latest book full of flawless romance, banter and interesting characters. If you love historical romances but need a break from the typical nobility, look no further then Ellie and Henri. The two offer some investigative intrigue helped along by a healthy dose of chemistry. Well propriety must still be respected; they operate far outside the usual constraints of high society. The two are kissing by the first chapter and yet it doesn't feel too soon or forced. Instead it is a promise that what follows will be anything but slow or boring.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for an ARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is the second book in the series and my favorite so far. Harry comes barreling into the story pretending to be something he's not. They have to solve a mystery together but this is just the beginning and the real mystery is yet to come. It is charming and fun and I was rooting for their happy ending.

Ellie meets Harry.
Ellie falls in love with one of Harry’s identities. The truth doesn’t come out until it has to and she has to figure things out for herself.
When he is telling the truth, she doesn’t believe him. He “cried wolf” so many times that she doesn’t know what to believe.
The chemistry is undeniable between the two and it is a slow burn.

Kate Bateman has a way of making me fall for the scrupulous and charming man that Ellie loves. I found myself wanting their relationship to work out.
I would classify him as one of my book boyfriends.

It is a regency romance with a crime that needs to be solved and a past that doesn’t seem to stay in the past. This book can be read as a standalone.

Special thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for the #ARC copy. Publication date is set for August 20, 2024.

The story is full of angst and is tinged with some light-hearted moments. The romantic element of the story is entertaining and the characters too are fun to read. I couldn’t stop reading it.

I am really enjoying this series from Kate Bateman! I loved seeing Tess, Ellie and Daisy again as they continue their adventures with their detective agency, King & Company. And I knew I was going to really like Ellie's story since I am much like her, glasses wearing and studious!

Henri Bonheur really intrigued me, and I delighted in the banter between him and Ellie. it was fun watching her try and hide her attraction and desire for Henri, all while working on cases with him as he took on the persona of the elusive Charles King of the ladies' agency, King & Company. And it was super fun watching Ellie break out of her shell a bit and embark on a few risqué adventures with Harry that stretched a bit outside the law. What a thrill she got!

Harry and Ellie were so well suited, in all things, and the way that Harry took such care with Ellie when she gave herself to him in the bedroom. Whatever type of "scoundrel" Harry had been in the past, it was clear that he very much respected Ellie and wanted more than anything for Ellie to love him, regardless of who he was in the past and who he is revealed to be now.

I'm anxious to find out what Daisy's story is going to be, considering she is supposed to meet her love on a dark highway, so that could mean all sorts of scenarios.

Kate Bateman is one of my favorite authors of historical romance. And with “How to Fall for a Scoundrel”, she has created another wonderful story. The story features Ellie, Daisy and Tess and their private investigation agency “King & Company. As society does not consider women to have the intelligence and skills to be private detectives or consider that to be a proper profession for society ladies, they have created a fictional reclusive employer, Charles King. However, the fictional Mr. King becomes somewhat less fictional when “Henri Bonheur”, an accomplished thief (and scoundrel) who claims to be reformed, offers to pretend to be Mr. King so that the ladies can retain a client who will pay well but insists on discussing his problem with Mr. King directly. Henri/Harry has multiple reasons for wanting to take on this role, including to spend more time with Ellie. He recognizes that she is more than the wallflower and bluestocking that her public persona suggests. And he wants to get to know her on a more intimate basis. Ellie finds him confounding, as she does not approve of some of his actions but cannot help but be impressed by the results he achieves. There is also an undeniable attraction between them (which will be thoroughly explored). And as much as he is a scoundrel, Ellie also finds him to be honorable.

Growing up one of my favorite shows was Remington Steele. I was too young to fully understand all of the nuances; however, I enjoyed the adventure. This book is Remington Steele, a historical romance style. So it was right up my alley. I have enjoyed this series, the strong female found family and the sex positivity are phenomenal. This book was no different, although I wish there had more interaction between Ellie, Tess, and Daisy, I missed that in this story. I had a blast with Harry, Henri, well whatever name he goes by, he was charming, smart, and sweet, a perfect Remington Steele. I thought the angst between the two lovers was well developed, but I wish Ellie had not second-guessed, although I guess that is to be expected when someone lies to you initially so it is understood. Overall this was a stellar book, and I enjoyed every minute.

I loved this one more than the first book, it was steamy and sweet at the same time. Kate Bateman is my favorite author now, there’s no going back.

Regency romance with a twist of mystery.
Ellie meets a handsome stranger who gives her a false name, and his real one is only one of the mysteries she and her friends in sleuthing solve in this book.
If you like regency, handsome, morally grey scoundrels, and pretty and clever heroines, you will love How to Fall for a Scoundrel!

Thank you to St. Martin's press for the advanced copy of this work in exchange for my honest review.

Miss Eleanor “Ellie” Law is the daughter of the Lord Chief Justice. She is one of the three co-founders of a successful private investigation firm. Eleanor encounters a charming scoundrel who steals a kiss from her at a ball. Now the man is assuming the identity of her fictional boss, “Charles King”. Reluctantly, Ellie agrees to allow Harry to help on a case he secured for them. Can Eleanor trust Harry with more than just her heart?
Henri Bonheur – or Harry to some – is a charismatic con man who has gone straight. He needs the King & Company’s help in proving his true identity. Henri first pretends to be their imaginary boss and secures them a case to gauge their ability. He never expected to be fascinated by Eleanor Law or enjoy helping her on cases. Will Harry’s criminal expertise be useful for King & Company?
Eleanor is a woman who likes to prove that women can solve crimes just as well as men. I like how she utilizes the resources available. Ellie is not afraid to use her father’s name to get the information she needs. I love how Ellie is Harry’s complete opposite. He is spontaneous to her careful planning; he is not above bending the law to her being a stickler for the law. The two play off each other wonderfully. Plus, Harry helps Ellie to see another side of life that she misses.
I would like to state first that I am not a fan of the name “Harry”. It is one of those names that makes me shudder in distaste. However, I adore this Harry. He has this infectious air about him that makes him lovable. I wonder if the author modeled Harry after Pierce Bronsan’s character in Remington Steele? If so, she NAILED it! What I like the most about Harry is his continual attempts to corrupt Elle. He tries to help her see beyond black and white but to shades of gray.
HOW TO FALL FOR A SCOUNDREL reminds me of the 80’s television show, Remington Steele but with a regency twist. The premise is almost the same. I believe that is why I enjoyed this book so much. And yes, that TV series is a fond favorite.
HOW TO FALL FOR A SCOUNDREL is the second book in Kate Bateman’s historical romance series, HER MAJESTY’S REBELS. The story can stand alone. There is no on-going plot. However, the first book (SECOND DUKE’S THE CHARM) explains how and why the three friends created King & Company. I cannot wait for the next book! And see what is in store for Daisy.

Another great installment in this book series by the wonderful Kate Bateman.

Eleanor is usually a wallflower, when she’s not helping her other friends solve crimes, but when she is kissed suddenly by a charming rake everything changes. Soon she’s on a mission with this con man rake at her side. Are the feelings real if she doesn’t even know his name?

This book was charming. I like Eleanor and Harry and didn’t find the plot to be too convoluted.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC.